McALLEN — McAllen Rowe showed confidence in freshman pitcher Javier Garcia right out of the gate with a start in the Warriors’ season opener against Edcouch-Elsa.
Although Garcia only threw four innings during his first taste of varsity baseball, he gave up two walks, one hit, no runs with five strikeouts — a success for the freshman and a sign of things to come.
By the end of the year, Garcia helped the Warriors (27-9, 13-1) win a share of the District 31-5A championship and qualify for the regional quarterfinal round of the playoffs while establishing himself as a promising pitcher.
“I’m honored and proud because as a freshman, they trusted me,” Garcia said. “It gave me confidence they trusted in me as a freshman and that made me better.”
For his performance during the 2022 campaign, Garcia is The Monitor’s All-Area Baseball Newcomer of the Year.
The Rowe left-handed pitcher finished his freshman season with a 6-2 record as a starter and a 1.16 ERA. He struck out 73 while limiting opponents to 21 hits, 33 walks and nine earned runs across 54.2 innings. Garcia was part of six shutouts by the Warriors during the season.
His first start during the Warriors’ run in District 31-5A was against crosstown rival McAllen High, a 6-0 win. Garcia threw 6.2 innings, surrendering no runs on four walks, one hit and eight strikeouts.
Another factor that helped Garcia throughout the season was having twin brother and Rowe pitcher Zavier by his side.
“That first district game I felt like I belonged, like I was made for it. I was really nervous, but my team, my coach and my brother made me feel like I belonged there,” he said.
During the playoffs, Garcia pitched a complete game shutout against Edcouch-Elsa in a 3-0 win. He racked up 14 strikeouts, allowing two hits and one walk.
The soon-to-be sophomore hopes the Warriors can keep up their winning ways with three years ahead.
“It makes me want to work even harder because I want to be one of the top pitchers and be here again. We’re going to try to continue the winning tradition, replace the missing spots, but always have a positive mind and play as a team,” Garcia said.
